Photo: Office of the President
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that he has received an invitation to visit the United States, and the offices of the two leaders are currently working to agree on the format of the visit. The trip is expected to take place as early as Friday.
The head of state said this at a meeting with journalists, Timeukraineisrael reports.
“We were offered a visit. The offices are open – what format, when. There is a working date. The offices are in touch,” Zelenskyy said.
The President stressed that his top priority in the negotiations was to guarantee continued US assistance.
“It is very important to hear that US assistance will not be stopped. This is the main thesis for today,” Zelenskyy stressed.
What is known about the rare earths agreement?
It is expected that an agreement on the extraction and use of rare earth minerals in Ukraine may be signed during the visit. The document will be part of a programme of economic cooperation between Kyiv and Washington aimed at restoring Ukraine’s economy and strengthening its energy independence.
The day before, Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said that the negotiations were in their final stages and that most of the key details had already been agreed upon.
“Ukraine is ready to be an equal partner, not a debtor. The agreement must contain clear security guarantees from the United States,” Zelenskyy said earlier.
Cooperation in rare earths mining is of strategic importance for Ukraine and the United States, as such resources are key to the production of electronics, defence technologies and green energy.
